The influence of the trunk cross section zone on the emission of VOC, chemical composition and structural parameters of fir (Abies alba Mill.)

The level of volatile organic compounds emission from the heartwood zone and the sapwood zone of fir was determined. Tests were carried out by the chamber method based on the requirements of ISO 16000 standards. The samples of air from the chamber were taken after 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. The content of particular chemical components in the both parts of the trunk cross section was determined as well. It was determined that the sample of heartwood originated from the typical juvenile wood zone and the sapwood sample from the mature wood zone. The border between these zones was defined based on the changeability of the tracheid length. Throughout the whole testing period the heartwood sample emitted more volatile organic compounds compared to the sapwood sample; however, the volumes of these emissions were the lowest compared to other previously studied softwood species.